Apparatus for transferring a plurality of integrated circuit devices into and/or out of a plurality of sockets

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for transferring of integrated circuit devices or other devices into and/or out of a plurality of sockets includes at least one guide rod; a presser housing slidingly coupled to the at least one guide rod; a socket presser block movably coupled to the presser housing and a handle assembly. The presser block defines a matrix of cutouts and ribs and is configured to assume a first position in which the presser housing is slideable on the guide rod and a second position in which the matrix of cutouts is aligned with corresponding underlying sockets mounted to a board and in which at least some of the ribs push on the underlying sockets to retract contacts thereof to allow the devices to be transferred into and/or out of the underlying sockets through the cutouts. The handle assembly is mechanically coupled to the presser block and is configured to selectively assume an unlocked position that places the presser block in the first position and a locked position that places the presser block in the second position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to the field of semiconductor integratedcircuits. More specifically, the present invention relates to thetransferring of integrated circuit devices into and/or out of aplurality of sockets, as may occur during the burn-in process, forexample.

2. Description of the Related Art

Integrated circuit devices often must undergo a burn-in process, wherebythe devices are operated under accelerated aging conditions to stabilizetheir circuitry and to detect premature failures. Such accelerated agingconditions may include an elevated temperature (the devices may be bakedin an oven), elevated voltage and/or elevated humidity. To start theburn-in process, the devices to be burned in must be removed from a trayor tube onto or in which the devices were placed after manufacturing andloaded onto a burn in board. The burn in board may include a pluralityof sockets, which are receptacles that mechanically hold the devices inplace and electrically couple the device to be burned to the testingcircuitry. In the case of Zero Insertion Force (“ZIF”) sockets, the topportion of the sockets (also called the “lid” of the socket) must bepushed down in order to retract the contacts of the socket. The leads ofthe device may then drop down into corresponding holes in the socket,whereupon the socket lid may be released, causing the socket contacts tocome into contact with and bear down on the device leads, therebymechanically holding and electrically coupling the device to the socket.

Automated loaders exist to load and unload integrated circuit devicesinto and out of burn in board. Such devices rely upon a so-calledpreciser, which compensates for any misalignment between the tray onwhich the devices rest prior to loading and the burn in board sockets. Asuction device on the automatic loader picks up the devices from thetray and places them on the preciser. The devices must then be picked upfrom the preciser and placed within the sockets of the burn in board.The unloading operation follows the opposite sequence: the devices arepicked up from the sockets and placed on the preciser, whereupon theyare again picked up and placed back upon the tray for later testing.Each of these motions may be considered to be an insertion and automatedloaders carry out the equivalent of four insertions. Each such insertionincreases the risk that the leads of the device will be bent, whichdecreases the yield of the overall process. As automated loaders arecomplex and costly devices (typically costing on the order of severalhundreds of thousands of dollars), their suitability must be carefullyevaluated, not only in terms of purchasing and maintenance costs, butalso in terms of the attendant risk of damaging the leads of theintegrated circuit devices to be burned in.

One alternative to such automated loaders is to carry out the deviceloading and unloading process manually. However, such loading can becometiring for the worker, who must manipulate small outline packages (suchas Thin Small Outline Package “TSOP”, for example) and correspondingsockets with their fingers without damaging the leads of the devices tobe inserted in the sockets. Indeed, the worker must push down the lid ofthe ZIF socket to retract the socket contacts while simultaneouslyaligning the device with and pushing the device into the socket.Understandably, damaged leads are a relatively common occurrence whenthe devices are transferred into and/or out of sockets in this manner.

What are needed, therefore, are devices and methods for transferring ofintegrated circuit devices into and/or out of a plurality of socketsthat are inexpensive and that ease the strain on the workers' fingers ashe or she loads and/or unloads the devices from the sockets. Also neededare devices and methods that increase the speed at which integratedcircuit devices may be loaded and/or unloaded from a plurality ofsockets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide improveddevices and methods for loading and/or unloading integrated circuitdevices from a plurality of sockets. In particular, the objects of thepresent invention include providing devices and methods to transferintegrated circuit devices to and from mating sockets that areinexpensive to implement and maintain, that are less damaging to theleads of the devices and that exhibit an increased yield.

In accordance with the above-described objects and those that will bementioned and will become apparent below, an apparatus for transferringof integrated circuit devices into and/or out of a plurality of sockets,according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes at leastone guide rod; a presser housing slidingly coupled to the guide rod; asocket presser block movably coupled to the presser housing, and ahandle assembly. The presser block defines a matrix of cutouts and ribsand is configured to assume a first position in which the presserhousing is slideable on the guide rod and a second position in which thematrix of cutouts is aligned with corresponding underlying socketsmounted to a board and in which at least some of the ribs push on theunderlying sockets to retract contacts thereof to allow the devices tobe transferred into and/or out of the underlying sockets through thecutouts. The handle assembly is mechanically coupled to the presserblock and is configured to selectively assume an unlocked position thatplaces the presser block in the first position and a locked positionthat places the presser block in the second position.

According to further embodiments, the apparatus further includes apresser guide post, the presser guide post constraining a motion of thepresser block as it transitions between the first and second positions.At least one return spring may be disposed between the presser housingand the presser block, the return spring biasing the presser block awayfrom the presser housing. A guide rod supporting structure may also beprovided, the structure defining an indentation therein and wherein thepresser housing includes a bearing, the bearing being configured to rollon the base as the presser housing is slid on the guide rod, the bearingperceptively dropping into the indentation when the matrix of cutoutsdefined in the presser block is aligned with the underlying sockets.Each of the underlying sockets may include a first side and a secondside opposite the first side and at least one of the ribs may beconfigured to simultaneously push on the first side of a first socketand on the second side of a second socket disposed immediately adjacentto the first socket. The handle assembly may include a bearing assemblythat bears on the presser block as the handle assembly is transitionedbetween the unlocked and the locked position. The handle assembly mayinclude independently movable first and second handles pivotally coupledto the presser block, the first and second handles being disposed onrespective sides of the presser block that are parallel to the at leastone guide rod. The presser housing and the presser block may bedimensioned and oriented such that a length thereof extends at leastacross a width of the board.

According to another embodiment thereof, the present invention is amethod of transferring of integrated circuit devices into and/or out ofa plurality of sockets, including steps of disposing a socket presserblock across at least some of the plurality of sockets, the presserblock defining a matrix of cutouts and ribs and being configured toassume a first position in which the presser block is movable and asecond position in which the matrix of cutouts is adapted to align withcorresponding underlying sockets mounted to a board and in which atleast some of the ribs are adapted to push on the underlying sockets toretract contacts thereof to allow the devices to be transferred intoand/or out of the underlying sockets; a first placing step to place thepresser block in the first position and moving the presser block so thesockets are aligned with the cutouts, and a second placing step to placethe presser block in the second position and manually transferring thedevices into and/or out of the sockets underlying the cutouts.

The first and second placing steps may include steps of switching aposition of a handle assembly that is mechanically coupled to thepresser block, the handle assembly being configured to selectivelyassume an unlocked position that places the presser block in the firstposition and a locked position that places the presser block in thesecond position. The transferring step may include a step ofmanipulating the devices with a vacuum pen. The presser block may bemovably coupled to a presser housing that may be configured to slideagainst a guide rod and the moving step may include a step of slidingthe presser housing until the cutouts are aligned with the underlyingsockets. The guide rod may be supported by a guide rod supportingstructure, the structure defining an indentation therein. The presserhousing may include a bearing that is configured to roll on the base asthe presser housing is slid on the guide rod, and wherein the movingstep is carried out until an operator perceives the bearing droppinginto the indentation, which indicates that the matrix of cutouts definedin the presser block is aligned with the underlying sockets.

The foregoing and other features of the invention are described indetail below and set forth in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the presentinvention, reference should be made to the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus for transferring aplurality of integrated circuit devices into and/or out of a pluralityof sockets, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus for transferring aplurality of integrated circuit devices into and/or out of a pluralityof sockets according to an embodiment of the present invention, whereindevice is in its locked position.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the device of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the apparatus for transferring a plurality ofintegrated circuit devices into and/or out of a plurality of sockets ina state in which the handle assembly is in its unlocked position.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the apparatus for transferring a plurality ofintegrated circuit devices into and/or out of a plurality of sockets ina state in which the handle assembly is in its locked position.

FIG. 7 is a detail perspective view of the handle assembly in theunlocked position, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows the handle assembly of FIG. 7, in the locked position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus for transferring aplurality of integrated circuit devices into and/or out of a pluralityof sockets, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Asshown therein, the apparatus (hereafter, “jig”) 100 includes at leastone guide rod 102. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the jig 100includes two such guide rods 102, disposed apart from and substantiallyparallel to one another. A presser housing 104 is slidingly coupled tothe guide rod(s) 102 so as to enable the presser housing 104 to slide onthe guide rod(s) 102 in the direction indicated by travel arrows 134.The guide rod(s) 102 may be secured to a base 124 or other mountingsurface.

A socket presser block 106 is movably coupled to the presser housing104. The presser block 106 is configured to move relative to the presserhousing 104 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to thatdirection indicated by the travels arrows 134. The socket presser block106 includes a top surface 108 in which a matrix of cutouts 110 and ribs112 is defined. The movable presser block 106 is configured to assume afirst position in which the presser housing 104 is slidable on the guiderod(s) 102 and a second position in which the matrix of cutouts 110 isaligned with underlying sockets 114 mounted to a (burn-in, for example)board 130. As shown in FIG. 1, the board 130 may be mounted so as toallow the overlying presser housing 104 to straddle the underling board130. A plurality of sockets 114 may be mounted on the board 130, thesockets being configured to mechanically secure and electrically coupleintegrated circuit devices mountable therein. The ribs 112 arepreferably defined in the top surface 108 of the presser block 106 suchthat when the presser block 106 is in the second position, the ribs arebrought into contact with and push on the sockets 114 mounted to theboard 130 to retract the contacts thereof. Once the contacts of thesockets 114 are retracted, integrated circuit devices (an exemplar ofwhich is shown at 136 in FIG. 3) may be (manually or automatically)transferred into and/or out of the sockets 114 through the cutouts 110.

A handle assembly 116 is mechanically coupled to the presser block 106and to the presser housing 104. The handle assembly 116 is preferablyconfigured to selectively assume an unlocked position, as shown in FIGS.1, 2 and 5 or a locked position, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. When thehandle assembly 116 is in the unlocked position, the presser block 106is placed in the first position in which the presser housing 104 isslideable on the guide rod(s) 102 . When the handle assembly 116 is inthe locked position, the matrix of cutouts 110 are aligned withunderlying sockets 114 mounted to the board 130 and the ribs 112 are incontact with and push on the underlying sockets 114 (specifically, theribs 112 push on the lids of the underlying sockets 114). In thisposition, the integrated circuit devices (such as shown at 136 in FIG.3) may be transferred into and/or out of the sockets 114. Each handleassembly 116 includes a bearing or roller assembly 148 that bears on thepresser block 106 as the handle assembly 116 is transitioned between theunlocked and locked positions. A handle assembly shaft 150 (best shownin FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) secured to the presser housing 104 and engaging acorresponding through bore defined in the presser block 106 cooperateswith the handle bearing or roller assembly 148 to draw the socketpresser block 106 toward the presser housing 104 when the handleassembly 116 is transitioned (either manually or by an automatedmachine) from its unlocked to its locked position.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the jig 100 of FIG. 1, showing the handleassembly 116 in the unlocked position, whereas FIG. 3 shows a side viewof the jig 100 with the handle assembly 116 in the locked position. Whenthe handle assembly 116 is in the unlocked position, the presser block106 is not in contact with and does not push against the sockets 114,and the presser housing 104 and the presser block coupled thereto arefree to slide on the guide rod(s) 102 in the direction of the travelarrow 134. As shown the figures, the jig 100 may include one or morepresser guide posts 120 to constrain the motion of the presser block 106to the directions parallel to the arrow 138. In the embodiment shownherein, the jig 100 includes four such presser guide posts 120, one ateach comer of the jig 100. The presser guide posts 120 may each besecured to the presser housing 104 and disposed so as to at leastpartially engage a corresponding through bore 140 defined in the presserblock 106. At least one return spring 122 may be disposed between thepresser housing 104 and the presser block 106 to bias the presser blockaway from the presser housing 104. That is, the return spring(s) 122 maybias the presser block 106 in the direction indicated by the spring biasarrow 138 in FIG. 2. Each of the return springs 122 may be disposedaround a respective presser guide post 120, although otherconfigurations are possible. As shown most clearly in FIG. 4, when thehandle assembly 116 is in its locked position, the socket presser block106 is caused to assume its second position in which the ribs 110 pushon the underlying sockets 114 to retract the contacts thereof. In thisstate, the return springs 122 are further compressed, as can be seenfrom a comparison of the return springs 122 in FIGS. 2 and 4. In thisstate, devices (such as integrated circuit devices 136 shown in FIG. 3)may be transferred into and/or out of the jig automatically by aloader/unloader machine or manually by an operator, using a vacuum penor the like.

As shown in FIG. 2, the presser housing 104 and the presser block 106coupled thereto may be slid along the direction indicated by the traveldirection arrow 134, guided by the guide rod(s) 102. To ensure that thepresser housing 104 and the presser block 106 are not slid too far(i.e., past their useful travel range over the board 130), each guiderod 102 may include a travel stop 132 secured to the extremitiesthereof. The guide rod(s) 102 may be secured to the base 124 by a guiderod supporting structure 142. The guide rod supporting structure 142 maydefine a topological in a surface thereof facing an underside of thepresser housing 104. The topological structure may, for example, be anindentation or a depression, such as shown in FIG. 2 at 128. The presserhousing 104 (or the lower free extremity of the handle assembly shaft150) may include a bearing 126 that may be configured to roll on theguide rod supporting structure as the presser housing 104 is slid on theguide rod. The bearing 126 may perceptively drop into the indentation128 when the cutouts 110 are aligned with underlying sockets 114. Inthis manner, the operator of the jig 100, by sliding the presser housing104 (and presser block 106 coupled thereto) along the guide rod(s) 102and feeling and/or listening for the bearing 126 dropping into theindentation 128, knows when to stop sliding the housing 104 along theguide rod(s) 102. Indeed, when the operator (not shown) feels/seesand/or hears the bearing 126 dropping into the indentation 128, he orshe knows that the cutouts 110 are aligned with underlying sockets 114and may cause the handle assembly 116 to assume its locked position (seeFIGS. 3, 4 and 6), thereby placing the presser block 106 in the secondposition in which the ribs 112 push against the lids of the sockets 114.In this state, the sockets 114 are configured to receive the integratedcircuit devices through the cutouts 110. After the integrated circuitdevices have been inserted through the cutouts 110 and disposed on thesockets 114, the handle assembly 116 may be once again caused to assumeits unlocked position, as shown at FIGS. 1, 2 and 5.

The sockets 114, as shown most clearly in FIGS. 5 and 6, include a firstside 144 and a second side 146 spaced apart from and opposite the firstside 144. To effectively push on the lids of the sockets 114, the ribs112, defined by the cutouts 110 formed in the top surface 108 of thepresser block 106, are configured to simultaneously push on the firstside 144 of a first socket 114 and on the second side 146 of a secondsocket 114 that is disposed immediately adjacent the first socket. Inthis manner, the lids of each socket 114 appearing through the cutouts10 are evenly and simultaneously depressed as the presser block 106 istransitioned to its second position when the handle assembly 116 iscaused to assume its locked position, as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 shows a detail view of the handle assembly 116 in the unlockedposition, whereas FIG. 8 shows the handle assembly 116 in its lockedposition, according to an embodiment of the present invention. As showntherein, the handle shaft assembly 150 is secured to the presser housing104. The handle assembly shaft 150 engages a corresponding through boredefined in the presser block 106 and cooperates with the handle bearingor roller assembly 148 to draw the socket presser block 106 toward thepresser housing 104 when the handle assembly 116 is transitioned (eithermanually or by an automated machine) from its unlocked to its lockedposition. As shown, the handle assembly 116 may include a handle portion152 and a forked base portion 153 secured thereto. The handle shaftassembly 150, as best shown in FIG. 8, may be disposed between thebranches of the forked base portion 153 and may be secured to the baseportion 153 by a handle pivot pin 151, to allow the handle assembly topivot as it is transitioned form its unlocked position (FIG. 7) to itslocked position (FIG. 8). As the handle assembly shaft 150 isstationary, the handle assembly 116, as it is pivoted about the handlepivot pin 151 on its bearing or roller assembly 148, draws the socketpresser block 106 toward the presser housing 104 and further compressesthe return springs 122. As the presser housing 106 is drawn closer tothe presser housing 104, the underside of the presser housing pushes onthe lids of the underlying sockets 114 to retract the contacts thereofand to allow the devices 136 to be transferred therein.

Using the jig 100 according to the present invention, an operator maycarry out one or more of the steps described below to transferintegrated circuit or other devices into and/or out of a plurality ofsockets. The jig 100 according to the present invention and as shown inFIGS. 1 through 6 is placed across the sockets 114 mounted to a board130, such as a burn in board. In practice, the jig 100 may be securelyattached to a mounting surface and the burn in board 130 may be slidinto the opening formed by the presser housing 104 and the mountingsurface. In this manner, at least some of the plurality of sockets 114are disposed across the presser housing 104 and the presser block 106coupled thereto. Therefore, the presser housing 104 straddles at least aportion of the board 130. As described above, the presser block 106defines a matrix of cutouts 110 and ribs 112 and is configured to assumea first position in which the presser block is movable and a secondposition in which the matrix of cutouts 110 is adapted to align withcorresponding underlying sockets 114 mounted to a board 130 and in whichat least some of the ribs 112 are adapted to push on the underlyingsockets 114 to retract contacts thereof to allow the devices 136 to betransferred into and/or out of the underlying sockets 114.

Thereafter, the operator may carry out a first placing step to place thepresser block 106 in the first position (shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5) andmoving the presser housing 104 and the presser block 106 coupled theretoso a number of sockets 114 are aligned with the cutouts 110 defined inthe top surface 108 of the presser block 106. The operator may perceivewhen the underlying sockets 114 are aligned with the cutouts 110 byfeeling/seeing and/or hearing the bearing 126 dropping into theindentation 128, for example. The presser housing 104 is preferablyconfigured to slide against one or more guide rods 102 and the movingstep may include a step of sliding the presser housing 104 along theguide rod(s) 102 until the cutouts 110 in the presser block 110 arealigned with the underlying sockets 114. When the cutouts 110 arealigned with the underlying sockets 114, the operator may carry out asecond placing step to place the presser block 106 in the secondposition. This causes the ribs 112 of the presser block 106 to push onthe lids of the underlying sockets 114, thereby retracting the contactsthereof. The operator may then manually transfer the devices 136 intoand/or out of the sockets 114 underlying the cutouts 110 or may cause amachine to do so. A vacuum pen may be used to manipulate the deviceswithout damaging them during the transfer steps. The first and secondplacing steps may include steps of switching a position of a handleassembly 116 that is mechanically coupled to the presser block 106, thehandle assembly 116 being configured to selectively assume an unlockedposition that places the presser block 106 in the first position and alocked position that places the presser block 106 in the secondposition. Using the jig 100 according to the present invention andimplementing the above-describe method, the operator experiences lessfatigue, lessens the risk of repetitive strain injuries and may remainon task for greater periods of time than previously possible, all thewhile causing few (if any) bent or damaged device leads. Moreover, thespeed at which devices 136 may be manually loaded/unloaded from the jig100 rivals and may exceed the speed at which such devices may be loadedor unloaded form burn in board by costly and complex automated machines.

While the foregoing detailed description has described preferredembodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that theabove description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosedinvention. For example, the number of cutouts 110 in the presser block106 may vary from that illustrated in the figures. Moreover, theparticular design and structure of the handle assembly 116, for example,may vary significantly from that shown and described herein without,however, departing from the scope of the present invention. Still othermodifications may occur to those of skill in this art. Thus, the presentinvention to be limited only by the claims as set forth below.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for transferring of integrated circuitdevices into and/or out of a plurality of underlying sockets havingcontacts and mounted to a board, comprising: at least one guide rod; apresser housing slidingly coupled to the at least one guide rod; asocket presser block movably coupled to the presser housing, the presserblock defining a matrix of cutouts and ribs, the presser block beingconfigured to assume a first position in which the presser housing isslideable on the guide rod and a second position in which the matrix ofcutouts is aligned with the underlying sockets and in which at leastsome of the ribs push on the underlying sockets to retract the contactsthereof to allow the devices to be transferred into and/or out of theunderlying sockets through the cutouts; a handle assembly mechanicallycoupled to the presser block, the handle assembly being configured toselectively assume an unlocked position that places the presser block inthe first position and a locked position that places the presser blockin the second position; and a guide rod supporting structure, thestructure defining an indentation therein and wherein the presserhousing includes a bearing, the bearing being configured to roll on thebase as the presser housing is slid on the guide rod, the bearingperceptively dropping into the indentation when the matrix of cutoutsdefined in the presser block is aligned with the underlying sockets. 2.The apparatus of claim 1, further including a presser guide post, thepresser guide post constraining a motion of the presser block as ittransitions between the first and second positions.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further including at least one return spring disposed betweenthe presser housing and the presser block, the return spring biasing thepresser block away from the presser housing.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, wherein each of the underlying sockets includes a first side and asecond side opposite the first side and wherein at least one of the ribsis configured to simultaneously push on the first side of a first socketand on the second side of a second socket disposed immediately adjacentto the first socket.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handleassembly includes a bearing assembly that bears on the presser block asthe handle assembly is transitioned between the unlocked and the lockedposition.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle assemblyincludes independently movable first and second handles pivotallycoupled to the presser block, the first and second handles beingdisposed on respective sides of the presser block that are parallel tothe at least one guide rod.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thepresser housing and the presser block are dimensioned and oriented suchthat a length thereof extends at least across a width of the board. 8.The apparatus of claim 6, further including a presser guide post, thepresser guide post constraining a motion of the presser block as ittransitions between the first and second positions.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 6, further including at least one return spring disposed betweenthe presser housing and the presser block, the return spring biasing thepresser block away from the presser housing.
 10. The apparatus of claim6, wherein each of the underlying sockets includes a first side and asecond side opposite the first side and wherein at least one of the ribsis configured to simultaneously push on the first side of a first socketand on the second side of a second socket disposed immediately adjacentto the first socket.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the handleassembly includes a bearing assembly that bears on the presser block asthe handle assembly is transitioned between the unlocked and the lockedposition.
 12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the presser housing andthe presser block are dimensioned and oriented such that a lengththereof extends at least across a width of the board.
 13. Apparatus fortransferring of integrated circuit devices into and/or out of aplurality of underlying sockets having contacts and mounted to a board,comprising: at least one guide rod; a presser housing slidingly coupledto the at least one guide rod; a socket presser block movably coupled tothe presser housing, the presser block defining a matrix of cutouts andribs, the presser block being configured to assume a first position inwhich the presser housing is slideable on the guide rod and a secondposition in which the matrix of cutouts is aligned with the underlyingsockets and in which at least some of the ribs push on the underlyingsockets to retract the contacts thereof to allow the devices to betransferred into and/or out of the underlying sockets through thecutouts; and a handle assembly mechanically coupled to the presserblock, the handle assembly being configured to selectively assume anunlocked position that places the presser block in the first positionand a locked position that places the presser block in the secondposition, wherein the handle assembly includes independently movablefirst and second handles pivotally coupled to the presser block, thefirst and second handles being disposed on respective sides of thepresser block that are parallel to the at least one guide rod.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 13, further including a guide rod supportingstructure defining an indentation therein and wherein the presserhousing includes a bearing, the bearing perceptively dropping into theindentation when the matrix of cutouts defined in the presser block isaligned with the underlying sockets.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13,further including a presser guide post, the presser guide postconstraining a motion of the presser block as it transitions between thefirst and second positions.
 16. The apparatus of claim 13, furtherincluding at least one return spring disposed between the presserhousing and the presser block, the return spring biasing the presserblock away from the presser housing.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13,wherein each of the underlying sockets includes a first side and asecond side opposite the first side and wherein at least one of the ribsis configured to simultaneously push on the first side of a first socketand on the second side of a second socket disposed immediately adjacentto the first socket.
 18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the handleassembly includes a bearing assembly that bears on the presser block asthe handle assembly is transitioned between the unlocked and the lockedposition.
 19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the presser housing andthe presser block are dimensioned and oriented such that a lengththereof extends at least across a width of the board.